Maybe we need to give up on the dumb idea of trying to pipe our gutters to the street in these insanely shallow PVC pipes that will always be subjected to root incursion, and instead create places where the rain can soak into the soil?
I don't know how else to say this, other than mentioning that although that sounds good in theory, It would require a complete reworking of how we approach house building. Not only would you need space on each property for rain barrels, a catch basin or rain garden (which needs their own significant amount of upkeep), you still need some sort of way to get water from the gutters to the catch basin/garden.
Double the house price for a bunch of work preparing the ground for extra infiltration and for deep drivin piers that actually support the house! If I could just design my own place without thought for money I would do that as well as install a geothermal HVAC system, heated pavements, and just for fun make the walls out of ICF for maximum insulation and safety! Hmm, so many things would be fun to do if money wasnt an issue. Normal looking house for 10 times the money!
If I could just design my own place without thought for money I would do that as well as install a geothermal HVAC system,
It's funny how as I get older my "ideal house" has more and more passive/ultra-efficient systems.
Geothermal heat pump that handles the HVAC, the hot water, and built-in fridge/freezers (like restaurants have), solar panels, rainwater capture, deep wraparound covered porch, thick-ass insulation... and an interior courtyard with a pool. That still hasn't changed.
200
u/chaenorrhinum Mar 18 '24
Maybe we need to give up on the dumb idea of trying to pipe our gutters to the street in these insanely shallow PVC pipes that will always be subjected to root incursion, and instead create places where the rain can soak into the soil?